Usama / Osama, how ever you spell it, is no longer living. This is thanks to the Elite team of Navy SEALs Team Six. I learned of Usama's demise on Sunday night. My eyes were glued to the television wanting more. I woke yesterday to learn that it was the Navy who led the attack with precision, strategy and perfection. Zero American casualties and mission accomplished are two very important things to me.
I also received a slew of emails, telephone calls and texts thanking me for my time in the service and dedication to this country. Although I had nothing to do with this day, it was so good to see that people around me do care and appreciate the sacrafice that I was prepared to make any given day.
This day also got me thinking about an interaction that I had with a young soldier at the St Louis airport a few weeks ago. I was standing behind her in line at one of those news stands that are parsed throughout the terminals. The cashier was asking her where she was stationed and how she liked being in the military. I don't recall the base that she was stationed at, but I clearly remember her saying "Eh. I don't really like it." I remember feeling a little remorseful and let down that someone would say that while standing in uniform representing his / her country.
I purchased my trail mix and a water and thought about what I had just heard. As I was walking back to my gate I saw the soldier sitting by herself. Without hesitation I walked over to her as she was slumping in her seat and awaiting her plane to take her back to that place she so despised. I said "Hi. I just wanted to stop by and tell you that I heard what you told the clerk back at the store a moment ago. I just wanted to tell you 'Thanks' for serving our country. You should be proud to wear that uniform." Of course she looked perplexed and began to say "Thanks, but I just..." I interrupted her and said "It doesn't matter what you 'just' do. You serve this amazing country and I thank you for that."
Her face lightened up with a smile as I extended my hand to shake hers. She said "thanks" and I wished her a safe return flight. I know she has no idea who I am, whether I was part of the military or just one American thanking another. But I do hope that she knows that her fellow countrymen appreciate her role and contribution to the military. And hopefully this knowledge will help her appreciate her job a little more.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Overcoming those bumps in the road
At least for now there might be a common theme regarding the weather this spring. It's been a tough on for those of us who thrive on consistent training weather... or even for families who just want to get outside and enjoy the sun. It's been rather frustrating and kind of depressing.
That leads me to my Friday / Saturday training. I woke up to dark clouds and rain on Friday morning. I really needed to get about 8 miles in but was completely unmotivated by what mother nature was offering me at the time. The forecast promised 65 degrees by mid-day so I decided to wait it out and get a run and a long bike in for the afternoon. Alas, the sun came out and began to warm things up. It also completely changed my attitude and I couldn't wait to lace up my shoes and get out there. I picked a nice route that takes me down a 3/4 mile hill and goes through some nice rolling hills before wrapping things up on an aggressive hill. I paced just under an 8-minute mile which I was pretty happy with. However, the winds had picked up significantly and the temp seemed to drop quite a bit. I waited a few minutes and took a look at the golfers on the 16th hole behind my house. Everyone was wrapped up and the hole flag was bending over at the winds' gusts. I decided to call it a day.
Rain soon followed and kept it up through the night. (Excellent sleeping weather for what it's worth!) I woke up to rainy skies and a much cooler day. Again, the motivation was at a struggle and I pulled a lazy card for the morning. And actually accepted the idea of taking the day off and just relaxing. I was getting a massage in the evening so might as well chalk the day up to a recovery day. By 1:00, the popped out and my mind started racing again. I felt way too energetic to let such a beautiful day go to waste. Off to the gym I went, Speedo in hand. I got in a quick 1,100 yard swim and some strength training in. Two hours later I bellied up to a couple of Japanese chicken skewers and off the massage I went.
I found out that a guy named "Lee" would be my therapist. I was a little leary of this since it was only my third massage and to this point, noone with a man's name had ever been the one to work on me. But since I'd seen a male chiropractor in the past and this was a professional place, I didn't think too long about it. And what do you know, "Lee" knew what the heck he was doing. He found a couple of knots that have likely been there for years and worked them over well. Other than letting me know that I'm a "brick" and he needed to warm up the next time I saw him, I felt really relaxed and would certainly go see him again. Thanks Lee!
As I finish up today's blog I am looking out at the 16th hole again. Grey skies, lots of wind and zero golfers. The Speedo is packed, I feel really good (thanks to Lee) and well... it looks like a great day to take that day off!
That leads me to my Friday / Saturday training. I woke up to dark clouds and rain on Friday morning. I really needed to get about 8 miles in but was completely unmotivated by what mother nature was offering me at the time. The forecast promised 65 degrees by mid-day so I decided to wait it out and get a run and a long bike in for the afternoon. Alas, the sun came out and began to warm things up. It also completely changed my attitude and I couldn't wait to lace up my shoes and get out there. I picked a nice route that takes me down a 3/4 mile hill and goes through some nice rolling hills before wrapping things up on an aggressive hill. I paced just under an 8-minute mile which I was pretty happy with. However, the winds had picked up significantly and the temp seemed to drop quite a bit. I waited a few minutes and took a look at the golfers on the 16th hole behind my house. Everyone was wrapped up and the hole flag was bending over at the winds' gusts. I decided to call it a day.
Rain soon followed and kept it up through the night. (Excellent sleeping weather for what it's worth!) I woke up to rainy skies and a much cooler day. Again, the motivation was at a struggle and I pulled a lazy card for the morning. And actually accepted the idea of taking the day off and just relaxing. I was getting a massage in the evening so might as well chalk the day up to a recovery day. By 1:00, the popped out and my mind started racing again. I felt way too energetic to let such a beautiful day go to waste. Off to the gym I went, Speedo in hand. I got in a quick 1,100 yard swim and some strength training in. Two hours later I bellied up to a couple of Japanese chicken skewers and off the massage I went.
I found out that a guy named "Lee" would be my therapist. I was a little leary of this since it was only my third massage and to this point, noone with a man's name had ever been the one to work on me. But since I'd seen a male chiropractor in the past and this was a professional place, I didn't think too long about it. And what do you know, "Lee" knew what the heck he was doing. He found a couple of knots that have likely been there for years and worked them over well. Other than letting me know that I'm a "brick" and he needed to warm up the next time I saw him, I felt really relaxed and would certainly go see him again. Thanks Lee!
As I finish up today's blog I am looking out at the 16th hole again. Grey skies, lots of wind and zero golfers. The Speedo is packed, I feel really good (thanks to Lee) and well... it looks like a great day to take that day off!
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